Illustration of Ainu dog
Currently on display at the East Asian library on my campus:
Sorry about the strange angle. Since the book was displayed under glass, I was trying to get it without glare. The red spot is a reflection of the emergency exit light, overhead.
The display placard reads:
Mamiya Rinzo 間宮林蔵, Kita Ezo zusetsu 北蝦夷図説, Ill. Utagawa Gyokuransai (Sadahide) 橋本玉蘭齋 （貞秀）.
Edo: Harimaya Katsugoro, 1855.
The Ainu and other tribes of northeastern Asia revered the bear as a deity or divine messenger. In a common ritual sequence, the bear, obtained as a cub, was shown all the care a human baby might receive -- until it grew too large. Then sacrifice and ritual consumption took place. Modern anthropologists characterize the rite as an opportunity to host a divinity, partake of its strength and virtue, and, through death, release its soul to return to its proper home.
The dog looks like he expects to get some of the baby bear meat, too.
And a related link:
"LAND GRAB!!! Plots of land in the Hokkaido countryside from just one Yen per square meter"
A site for a Nihon ken dog sanctuary/getaway/training site??
Sorry about the strange angle. Since the book was displayed under glass, I was trying to get it without glare. The red spot is a reflection of the emergency exit light, overhead.
The display placard reads:
Mamiya Rinzo 間宮林蔵, Kita Ezo zusetsu 北蝦夷図説, Ill. Utagawa Gyokuransai (Sadahide) 橋本玉蘭齋 （貞秀）.
Edo: Harimaya Katsugoro, 1855.
The Ainu and other tribes of northeastern Asia revered the bear as a deity or divine messenger. In a common ritual sequence, the bear, obtained as a cub, was shown all the care a human baby might receive -- until it grew too large. Then sacrifice and ritual consumption took place. Modern anthropologists characterize the rite as an opportunity to host a divinity, partake of its strength and virtue, and, through death, release its soul to return to its proper home.
The dog looks like he expects to get some of the baby bear meat, too.
And a related link:
"LAND GRAB!!! Plots of land in the Hokkaido countryside from just one Yen per square meter"
A site for a Nihon ken dog sanctuary/getaway/training site??
Comments
I love artwork of any kind, but dogs are my favorite.
Snf
The whole buy land thing seemed interesting until I thought about how much I like where I live. Plus also I'm a chicken about moving to a place where I don't know anyone.